Derrick Milano: From Student Approach to Shaping BTS’s ‘Arirang’

When Grammy-winning songwriter Derrick Milano first entered a Los Angeles studio to collaborate with global superstars BTS, he wasn’t even aware of which songs he’d be working on. His primary goal was simple: to approach the sessions not as an established hitmaker, but as “a student.”

This humble mindset ultimately positioned Milano, known for his work with artists like Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, and Megan Thee Stallion, as a key contributor to BTS’ highly anticipated latest studio album, “Arirang.” He played a significant role in six tracks, including “Hooligan,” “Aliens,” “Normal,” “Merry-Go-Round,” “Swim,” and “2.0.”

From Jennie to BTS: The Journey to Collaboration

Milano’s connection to BTS wasn’t direct from the start. He revealed that his initial introduction to the K-pop scene stemmed from earlier collaborations related to Jennie of Blackpink. Nicole Kim, Vice President of A&R at Big Hit Music, reached out to him while Jennie was working in Los Angeles. Kim, who previously managed Jennie’s promotion in Hollywood as VP of A&R for Columbia Records in the US, recognized Milano’s distinctive hip-hop-focused style.

“She was like, ‘There’s a lot of stuff that you have done that I am a fan of,'” Milano recounted in an interview with The Korea Herald, Wednesday, referring to his impactful work with major US artists.

Although those initial sessions with Jennie didn’t result in released material, Milano nurtured the professional relationship. Several months later, he received another pivotal call – this time regarding an opportunity with BTS.

“There’s a record that you did that BTS and their team like a lot,” he recalled being told, setting the stage for his involvement with the K-pop phenomenon.

Soon thereafter, Milano was invited to meet the acclaimed group at Conway Recording Studios in Los Angeles. Feeling a natural nervousness about working with one of the world’s biggest musical acts, he prioritized establishing a genuine connection with the members.

An unexpected icebreaker came through a shared appreciation for fashion.

After changing into a fresh outfit before entering the studio, Milano noted that J-Hope immediately complimented his style, sparking engaging conversations about both fashion and music even before the official work commenced.

The actual recording process, however, presented an even greater surprise.

“I didn’t know what I was working on,” Milano admitted. “They told me they were missing melody and cool pockets.”

Milano detailed how BTS producer Pdogg would play instrumental tracks, guiding him in real-time – stopping takes, fine-tuning flows, and directing melodies. Instead of imposing his own style, Milano consciously adapted to BTS’ unique and established creative system.

“This is a new world for me,” he stated. “I didn’t want to come in with an ego. I didn’t want to come in and act like a know-it-all.”

This receptive approach proved crucial to his significant role on the album. Milano explained that he began crafting melodies as if he himself were being featured on the tracks, drawing inspiration from artists renowned for their unconventional vocal rhythms and melodic structures. This collaborative spirit perfectly aligned with the K-pop ethos of blending diverse musical influences.

The process quickly grew from one song to the next, demonstrating the successful synergy.

“It went from ‘Hooligan’ to ‘Aliens’ to ‘Normal’ to ‘Merry-Go-Round’ to ‘Swim’ to ‘2.0,’” he proudly listed.

Milano believes his contribution helped craft engaging melodies and rhythmic structures that were accessible for both BTS members to perform and for listeners worldwide to enjoy, particularly as a substantial portion of the album was recorded in English.

“RM loves to rap. He cares about his rap pockets,” Milano observed. “I guess I was able to make it digestible, but still easy for fans to understand.”

Among the six tracks, Milano highlighted “Normal” as his personal favorite due to its profound emotional vulnerability.

“It feels like when you’ve been one of those people who’s been overlooked or counted out,” he articulated. “This is your breakthrough.”

He also lauded “Swim,” the main track of “Arirang,” which achieved monumental success by topping the Billboard Hot 100 on April 4. Milano praised its powerful, universal motivational message.

“‘Keep swimming’ is becoming like a phrase,” he commented. “You gotta keep going, fight through and push through every barrier.”

BTS’ Perfectionist Mindset: A Commitment to Excellence

Having spent years collaborating with various solo artists, Milano noted that BTS distinctly stood out due to every member’s unwavering commitment to perfection. “Even when they think a take is perfect, they still want to do better,” he emphasized, showcasing the group’s dedication.

He particularly commended the members’ meticulous attention to pronunciation and diction during the recording of English-heavy tracks, which is vital for global appeal.

“They wanted to say certain words right and have the right pronunciation.”

Milano also revealed that BTS’ willingness to embrace creative risks allowed him to fully integrate his inherent hip-hop and R&B instincts within the innovative K-pop framework. This flexibility is a hallmark of their global success.

“Because they’re global icons, they’re able to take risks that a lot of other artists can’t,” he affirmed, highlighting BTS’ unique position in the music industry.

K-pop Without Borders: A Global Fusion Genre

For Derrick Milano, contemporary K-pop transcends the limitations of a single sound. Instead, he views it as a dynamic fusion platform where diverse genres such as pop, hip-hop, dance, rock, and R&B seamlessly coexist and blend.

“I think K-pop is a fusion of different global sounds,” he stated, encapsulating its expansive nature.

Milano drew parallels between this genre-blending approach and the work of legendary artists like Michael Jackson and Prince. He argued that some of the world’s most influential musicians achieved iconic status precisely because they refused to be confined to one musical lane.

“When you look at Michael Jackson’s music and pay attention to the type of records, Prince and certain people, it wasn’t the traditional sound,” Milano elaborated. “They would mix this with that, and add dance elements, and then add pop, and then add rock.”

He believes BTS embodies a similar kind of musical flexibility, which enables the group to naturally collaborate across various genres and appeal to an incredibly broad global audience.

“I could see a song with BTS featuring somebody like Taylor Swift, but I could also see BTS featuring an artist like Future,” he mused. “I could see BTS doing a song with Billie Eilish, because now it’s opening up the sound sonically, where you can just take chances and take risks.”

Far from criticizing K-pop’s increasing incorporation of English lyrics, Milano passionately argued that multilingual music significantly fosters and expands global collaboration and reach.

“I think it should have both,” he asserted when questioned about balancing Korean and English lyrics in K-pop. “As Americans, we need to learn the language as well.”

Milano concluded that his experience working with BTS fundamentally reshaped his perspective on the global music landscape itself.

“This genre is a global genre,” he declared, emphasizing K-pop’s universal appeal.

Now, after playing a pivotal role in one of BTS’ most ambitious albums, Derrick Milano expresses his strong desire to continue expanding his involvement deeper into the K-pop industry – not merely through individual singles, but through comprehensive creative curation.

“I want to help curate the whole project,” he stated, looking forward to future K-pop endeavors. “From top to bottom.”

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